Lethbridge College has partnered with non-profit organization Women Building Futures (WBF) to bring a unique trades-training opportunity to southern Alberta.

Based out of Edmonton, WBF works to create opportunities for women to experience trades and construction training, and will be coming to Lethbridge for the first time this summer.

Funded in-part by the Government of Canada’s Women in Construction Fund program, women who participate will do so without any cost.

“We’ve been building skills and connecting women to opportunities in the construction trades for actually more than 20 years,” said president and CEO Carol Moen.

“We work hard to make women aware that it is an option for them,” Moen explained.

Starting this July, the 12-week Journeywoman Start program will take place under the instruction of Lethbridge College faculty, where participants will receive essential safety awareness and certification, graduating with a total of eight certificates.

The program includes a variety of hands-on trades training, as well as career development sessions, meet-ups with industry partners and academic upgrading opportunities, and will be delivered through a blend of online, virtual, and in-person learning.

“Carpentry, welding, electrical, (wind-turbine) technician, and heavy-equipment technician, so very diverse,” Moen said. “We have components on leadership, we have components on organization, financial skills.”

Jason Donkersgoed, director of business development with Lethbridge College, said this is an important and timely collaboration.

“I love that Women Building Futures is all about empowering women’s economic prosperity,” Donkersgoed said. “It’s great that they thought and took a look at what we offer at Lethbridge College, and said there’s an opportunity here to help with their mission.”

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